10,000 Scottish Christians challenged to transform church's image

Scotland is a nation of "holy discontent" - and the church has all the answers, says one Church of Scotland minister.

A Scottish minister is challenging 10,000 Christians to transform the image of the church in Scotland during next week's inaugural National Gathering.

The event is the first time that the Church of Scotland has attempted a festival-style event and takes as its model the country's major annual indie rock music festival T in the Park. Over two days from 3 to 4 May, thousands of Scottish Christians will join together to enjoy Christian music, dance, art and "food for thought" at the Royal Highland Showground in Ingliston, outside Edinburgh.

Rev Albert Bogle, minister of St Andrew's Church in Bo'ness, who is heading up the project, said he believes the event will send out a clear message to the country that the church is alive and has the answers to what he perceives to be a growing spiritual longing among Scots.

"It seems to me that there is a holy discontent within the nation, people today are looking for more," he said.

"But not just in monetary terms, they're looking for purpose, inspiration and above all to reconnect with faith that is relevant for everyday life."

A number of high profile church leaders have already added their support to the event, including the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Sheilagh Kesting, and the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who has openly called for the removal of Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe, will be a keynote speaker on the Sunday morning.

Rev Bogle invited everyone to join the celebrations: "There is a big welcome waiting to the whole of Scotland to get connected with a church without walls."

Bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to Scottish society is high on the Church of Scotland's agenda and forms the focus of a major report to be presented at May's General Assembly by the Church's Mission & Discipleship Council.

In the report, the council outlines a new 'toolbox' of ideas called 'Future Focus: a way forward for congregations', which aims to help churches discern the signs of the times and become what God wants them to be in challenging times.